Earthen Floors – Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to dry?
It depends on a lot of factors. But temperature and air flow are most important. If the floor has underfloor heating pipes and good ventilation. The base coat can be dry in 5 days. The top coat in 2 days and the oil can be fully set in 5 days. So it is important that the floor will not be walked on in those days.

Will it crack?We have worked hard to develop a product that will be crack free. However being a natural product there are some variations in material. That said, any cracks that might appear will be repaired by our installers prior to the final oiling and not visible on the finished floor.

Why is an earth floor better than a cement floor?Earth floors are better at storing heat, everyone knows the painful cold that you can feel walking on a cold concrete floor. Earth floors feel warmer. Earth floors are softer than concrete meaning there is a minuscule ‘give’ in the floor. This is much more comfortable to walk on and can reduce lower joint pain.
Environmentally an earthen floor is significantly better. The earth is dug, sieved and mixed. There is no baking in a kiln like cement.

Can I have underfloor heating?Yes! Earthen floors and underfloor heating are an excellent combo. The Earth floor will hold onto the heat gently releasing it back into the surrounding air as the temperature drops. This means you only have to run your underfloor heating for a short time to charge the floor. Saving you money!
We need to install at least 60mm on top of the pipes, so please bare in mind finished floor heights.

What oil do you seal it with?
The mixture we use is tung and linseed oil.

What is the purpose of the oil and wax?
The oil coat penetrates into the clay and crystalises. This creates a hard surface that is more wear and damage resistant. This also makes the floor waterproof, so you can mop the floor.
Similar to waxing wooden furniture, the wax layer gives a softer finish and provides a sacrificial coat on the floor.

Can I put furniture on it?
Yes, furniture is not a problem. Furniture that creates a point load, like a chair, will need furniture coasters to spread the weight.

How long will it last?
An earthen floor will last a very long time, subject to normal use.

What after-care is there?We recommend that your earthen floor is a ‘shoes off’ floor system to keep it in the best shape. You will need to re-wax the floor every 4 years, and the floor will benefit from another coat of oil every 10 years.

I have a clay-rich subsoil, can we use it?
Yes! Please contact us to discuss the price and process.